Local and regional news

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“Red-Flag” Gun Bill Headed to Sununu for Likely Veto

CONCORD, N.H. (AP) — A bill allowing guns to be taken from people who present a danger to themselves or others is on its way to Republican Gov. Chris Sununu, who is likely to veto it. The Democratically-controlled Senate voted 14-10 Monday for the bill, which would allow relatives or police to petition a court to temporarily remove firearms. Supporters argue the so-called “red-flag” measure is needed in a state where the suicide rate is rising faster than elsewhere and would be used only in cases of extreme risk. Opponents counter that the bill violates not only the right to own firearms, but also other constitutional guarantees.

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Proposal would make National Parks FREE for more Disabled Veterans

BAR HARBOR, Maine (AP) — The U.S. Senate has passed a bill introduced by a pair of New England senators that would make disabled veterans able to attend national parks for free. Maine Republican Sen. Susan Collins and New Hampshire Democratic Sen. Jeanne Shaheen proposed the bill. It’s designed to provide all veterans who suffered service-connected disabilities with free lifetime entry to any national parks. The 2004 Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act states that veterans must be classified as having a 100% permanent disability to get a free National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass.

 

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Fund Created to Help Self-Employed in New Hampshire

CONCORD, N.H. (AP) — A fund has been created to help sole proprietors in New Hampshire experiencing hardship during the coronavirus pandemic. The Self Employment Livelihood Fund will offer amounts up to $50,000 to those mom-and-pop businesses that qualify. Gov. Chris Sununu said Thursday it’s estimated that between 10,000 and 15,000 individuals statewide are going through unemployment or identified themselves through applying for the Main Street Relief Fund for small businesses, which didn’t cover sole proprietors. People can apply from July 6th to July 17.

For the full article click here.

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Man Accused of Threats, Sought in Northern New Hampshire

Picture of Duane Masters courtesy of Littleton Police Department’s Facebook Page

 

LITTLETON, N.H. (AP) — Police in northern New Hampshire are looking for a man accused of threatening his girlfriend with a stolen gun. Warrants have been issued on various charges for 35-year-old Duane Masters, whose last known address was in Waterville, Maine. In Littleton, New Hampshire, Masters is accused of taking the gun from his girlfriend, pointing it at her, and forcing her and her two children into a car on Saturday. Police told the Caledonian-Record that Masters also is accused of threatening police in Bethlehem, New Hampshire; assault in Lisbon, New Hampshire; and violating a protective order in the city of Barre, Vermont. Police said Masters has experience with woodlands survival and may be avoiding populous areas.

A Facebook post from the Littleton Police Department has a full description. Click here for details.

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Congressman Chris Pappas Joins Gino on The Magic Morning Show

Congressman Chris Pappas called in to the Magic Morning Show today and talked with Gino about a plethora of topics. They discussed the Congressman’s response to an order barring foreign workers on a slate of employment-based visas, upcoming relief packages for COVID-19, two significant Supreme Court decisions affirming workplace protection for the LGBTQ community and Dreamers, and support for the US Post Office. Click below to listen to the full interview.

 

To learn more about Congressman Chris Pappas and his efforts please visit PAPPAS.HOUSE.GOV

 

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New Hampshire Fish and Game Seeks Bear in Unprovoked Attack

CANAAN, N.H. (AP) — New Hampshire Fish and Game officers are trying to trap a bear that injured a man in Canaan in what is being called a rare, unprovoked attack. Fish and Game Lt. Jim Kneeland says the man had deep cuts from the encounter but he managed to scare the bear off. Kneeland says bear incidents usually occur when a bear is cornered and tries to get out of a situation where it feels trapped. The victim was not identified. If the bear involved in the attack is found it will be euthanized.

For more and WMUR-TV‘s coverage click here.

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The Widest Racial Disparity Stemming from the Coronavirus Pandemic is in Maine

The widest racial disparity stemming from the coronavirus pandemic is in Maine, where Black residents are contracting the virus at 20 times the rate of their white neighbors. Maine has the highest percentage of white residents of any state. It also has a low rate of coronavirus infection, with less than 3,000 cases in total. But the Portland Press Herald reports Black Maine residents, who make up 1.4% of the state’s population, account for nearly a quarter of its coronavirus cases. The Maine Immigrants’ Rights Coalition called the disparity “enormous and growing.”

For the full article click here.